Device for supporting shade and drapery poles



`Aug. l1,v 1936. J. STRACKA 2,050,507

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SHADE AND DRAPERY POLES Filed sept. 1 4, v l1953 'ffy/1 syn/z irai/Fa `Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNiTED STATES DEVICE FORVSUPPORTINGL, SHADE AND DRAPERY POLES Joseph Stracka, Cleveland, Ohio Application September 14, 1933, Serial No. 689,408

5 Claims. Y(Cl. 248-265) Y The present invention relates to holding shades and drapery in suspension opposite windows, doors and the like. Y

In the prior art, shade or drapery holding or suspension means have been used in the form of brackets which required a fastening means of some kind to hold the brackets in place. v,The disadvantage of such fastening means is that some tool is required to effect the fastening and, furthermore, considerable marring of window framing resulted in such fastening. This disadvantage is quite pronounced when changes are made in shades or draperies or when shades or draperies are moved from one window to another,

- or when Wider or narrower shades or draperies are substituted and require different spacing of the brackets.

In the present invention, the brackets need no fastening means which would* mar a window or door framing in any manner. No tools are needed to hold the bracket to a framing. The brack' ets have adjusting means thereon to locate shades or draperies in a desired location and to be adjusted to various widths of draperies.

Objects of the. present invention are:

To provide a shade and drapery pole supporting device of simple structure.

To provide such a device with means whereby shade and drapery pole supporting brackets or members are adjustable on the device easily and conveniently and without requirement of tools.

To provide such a device with friction means to retain the shade and drapery pole supporting members in an adjusted position on the device.

To provide such a device with means to allow adjustment thereof relative to a support and to retain itself in any adjusted position thereof on said support by frictional engagement therewith and without requirement of tools.

To provide such a device with means to render the device as a whole adjustable on a support and to hold itself in such adjusted position by friction members on the device.

To provide such a device with means to render shade pole supporting members adjustable on the device independently of adjustment of drapery pole supporting members on the device.

To provide such a device with means torender drapery pole supporting members adjustable on thedevice independently of adjustment of shade pole supporting members on the device.

To provide such a device with an arm to support pole supporting members and to make this arm adjustable on the device and frictionally held thereon. Y

To provide such a Vdevice with friction means for each of the component parts thereof so that the .device as a whole and each part thereof can be adjusted independently of the other parts thereof and so that each part thereof can be ad- "5' justed independently of the other parts and frictionally held in adjusted position without requirementof tools and without marring surface of the device nor of surface adjacent thereto.

Other objects will appear herein during the del' scription of the device shown in the accompanying drawing, or will become obvious or apparent or will suggest themselves upon an inspection of this specification and the accompanying drawing.

The present invention is illustrated in the one l type of device shown in the accompanying drawing, in which: Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device, embodying the present invention, and showing avertically self supporting device with shade and drapery pole supporting members individually adjustable thereon and held in adjusted position by friction between members of the device.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and shows the shade pole support- 12;-, ing bracket as mounted on the arm and the holes therein for the shade pole journals.

Fig. 3 is a Vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l and shows' the drapery pole supporting member as mounted on the arm. 30.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. l and shows the locking member for a drapery ypole supporting bracket as mounted on the drapery pole supporting member. l

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a pre- 35 ferred structure for frictionally retaining the pole supporting members on the arm.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a preferred structure for frictionally retaining the locking member on the drapery pole supporting member. E

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the end of the drapery pole supporting member and shows the abutments for a drapery pole supporting bracket and the locking member as related thereto.

Fig.V 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1 and shows the form of the casing in one respect and the screw operated wedge mechanism therein. Y

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1 and showsthe casing and the screw operated wedge mechanism at right angles to Fig. 8 and also shows the device as related to a vertical support. Y

The device shown in the accompanying draw- Y ing for the purpose of illustrating the present invention consists principally of the self supporting element or member A, the arm B extending therefrom, the shade pole supporting member or bracket C on the arm, the drapery pole supporting member D also on the arm, and the locking member E for the drapery pole supporting bracket on the drapery pole supporting member.

The casing ID for the element A is open at two opposite sides as shown. The operating screw F extends substantially through the middle of the casing and is confined, axially thereof, by the innerend of the head|2 abutting the outside of the end wall I 3 of the casing and by the washer I4 with theend of the screw riveted thereover abutting the outside of the end wall I5 of the casing.

The screw F is shown with a right hand and a left handthreaded parts I6 and Il. One of the threaded parts is diametrically larger than the other for convenience of assembling of the device but the pitch of the two threads is preferably the same so that theV belowv described wedges will remain central in the casing. The head I2 abuts the casing as is mentioned above and has the knurled partY I8 on the outer` end thereof for manual rotative manipulation of the screw and also has the driving slot I9 .therein for rotative manipulation of the screw byvmeans of a screw driver or the like when desired. Usually manual manipulation of thescrew is suiiicient to anchor the device but for heavy shades or draperies and when the fingers of the operator are quite or very weak it may be advisable to resort to a tool and the driving slot to retain the device in frictional self supporting contact with a vertical support.

The sleeve 20 is threaded onto the part I6 of the screw F and is driven into the wedge member 2|. The wedge member 2| has two oppositely inclined faces 22 and 23 thereon.

The sleeve 24 is threaded onto the part of the screw F and 1s driven into the wedge member 25 which also has two oppositely inclined faces 26 and 2'|. The widths of the wedge members 2| and 25, as seen in Fig. 9, is less near the inner end thereof than at the outer end. Preferably, the wedge members 2| and 25 t loosely slidably between the walls 28 and 29 of the casing.

The contact member 30 ts loosely slidably between the walls I3,A I5, 28 and 29 of the casing and has thereon two oppositely inclined faces 3| and 32 corresponding in angularity to the respective inclined faces on the wedge members 2| and 25.

Y The contact member 33 is a duplicate of the wedge member 39 and has the two oppositely in-r clined faces 34 and 35 corresponding in angularity to the respective inclined faces on the wedge members 2| and 25.

The highest points of the wedge members 30 and 33 are opposite each other and face, toward the inside of the casing. The inclined faces on the wedge members 2| and 25 are in contact on the inclined faces of the wedge members 3U and 33.

The slots 36 and 3`| are cut through the walls 28 and 29 of the casing. The pin 38 is driven through the wedge member 3D and has the ends thereof extending through the slots 36 to retain the wedge member 39 in the casing but allow lateral movement thereof respective to the casing so that the wedge member 3|) can move inwardly and outwardly of the casing for engagement on and from the support 39 for the device.

The pin 49 is driven through the wedge member 33 and the ends of the pin extend through the slots 31 to retain the wedge member 33 in the casing but to allow lateral movement thereof respective to the casing so that the wedge member 33 can move inwardly and outwardly of the casing for engagement on and from the support 39 for the device.

Fig. 9 shows quite clearly the above described relations between the casing and the wedge operating screw and the wedge members and the support for the device.

The wedge members may be made of metal or wood ,or rubber or a composition of rubber or other similar materials or composition of materials which has the property of adhering frictionally to other materials. It is preferred that the support contacting faces 4I and 42 be serrated for better contact or be faced with a sheet of somewhat compressible material, either serrated or smooth on the outside, or be faced with a sheet of compressible material and serrated so that the peaks of the serrations can be compressed to some extent at least to afford a better frictional engagement of the faces 4| and 42 on the'support 39.

'I'he device so far described is first held in a desired position longitudinally of the usual window guiding groove provided in a framing, as the window framing 39 shown in the drawing. Rotation of the-screw F in one direction moves the wedge members 2| and 25 toward each other and thereby moves the wedge members 30 and 33 outwardly and into contact with or `engagement on the walls 39a and 39h. The amount of power applied to the screw F determines the pressure of the wedge members 3|! and 33 against the walls 39a and 39h. This frictional engagement is sufcient and can be made suihcient to hold or retain the entire device with shades and draperies supported thereon and does not mar or in any manner disgure the supporting element and requires no tools for installation or for removal.

The guide or arm receiving bracket 43 is fastened onto the front of the casing near the bottom thereof and has the opening 44 through the same. When additional friction means is desired the wall 45 may be formed with an inward curvature as indicated in dotted line in Fig. 8.

The arm B is rectangular and has parallel edges throughout its length and comprises the parts 45 and 4'| angular with each other, preferably at right angles as shown.

The free end 48 of the part 45 fits slidably into the opening 44 of the bracket 43 and is longitudinally adjustable therein so that the part 4l and mechanisms thereon can be adjusted nearer to and further from the casing so that a drapery pole can be adjusted relative to a framing 39 indicated in the drawing in dotted lines.

In addition to the adjustment described in the just preceding paragraph, the arm. may be re- CII thereof.

jto meet various drapery poles and supports thereversed vertically so that thepart 4.1 extends opposite to the position thereof shown in Fig. 1 or the end of the part fil may be entered intothe bracket 43.

The shade pole supportingy bracket C has the sides thereof bent U shaped to embrace the ver.- tical edges of the arm by means of the flanges 49 and 50 frictionally engaging the arm B.. vIn the formation of the bracket C it is preferred that the flanges 159 and 5U be formed with the `inner ends thereof closer to the back thereof than the outer parts thereof as illustratively shown in Fig.` 5. This structure utilizes resiliency of the material of the bracket to attain frictional contact on the arm at all times since these inner ends will be forced outwardly when the bracket is on the arm and the natural tendency thereof is to y revert back to their original positions.

The arm B, the bracket C, and the below described members D and E are preferably made of material which has some resiliency therein so that parts thereof will remain in frictional contact on the parts attached to and thereby hold the arm and the bracket and the members in adjusted position relative to their supporting parts.

The bracket C has the outwardly bulging part 5I having the journal hole 52 in the outer Wall This hole may be formed of the two angular branches as shown or with one round hole as is quite common and well known in brackets for shade pole support.

The drapery supporting member D is formed similar to the bracket C and of the same sort of material for purposes similar to the bracket C. The end 53 of the member D extends over the end of the part itl of the arm B and the flanges 54 and 55 engage the arm frictionally to retain the member D thereon in adjusted position similar to the bracket C.

The vertical flange 55 is bent outwardly from the back Wall of the member D to form the groove 55a to engage a vertical edge of a toe or similar means usually found on drapery supporting poles. The horizontal flange 51 is also bent outwardly from the lower part of the member D in the same direction as the flange 55 to form the groove 51a. to engage a horizontal edge of the mentioned toe.

The locking member E is formed similar to the bracket C and of the same sort of material and for similar purposes. The anges 58 and 59, preferably originally formed as seen in Fig. 6, engage the flanges 54 and 55 to frictionally engage the member E on the member D and thereby hold the member E in adjusted position on the member D. The tongue 50 extends axially from the back part of the member E and is offset outwardly from the back wall thereof to provide the space 6l. After a drapery pole is inserted into or between the flanges 56 and 51, the member E is slid along the member D until the tongue B0 engages the toe of the drapery pole and thereby retains the pole in position.

The arm B is reversible either end for end or side for side so that the same forms various means for adjusting the same relative to the casing or self supporting element A. The bracket C is slidable axially of the arm, either on the arm part 45 or 4l, and is reversible thereon. This adjusting means of the bracket C and the arm B affords a means for variously relating a shade pole to other structure.

The member D is also reversible on the arm B and can slide axially thereon and thereby form a means for variously adjusting the member D for. y The member E can slide on the member D to lock or retain a drapery pole on the member D.

f'Dueto the resiliency in the material of the arm receiving bracket 43, the shade pole bracket C, and the members D and E, either one of' these parts can be moved individually for adjustment and release themselves automatically and-automatically retain themselves in adjusted position Aafteradjustment is made.

,Throughout the device shown and described,

Vfrictional contact or engagement is provided so Vpoles, a casing, friction members oppositely spaced in and movable relative to said casing, oppositely inclined faces on the opposing sides of each of said friction members, a screw axially confined in said casing and having a right hand and a left hand thread thereon, a Wedge member threaded onto said right hand thread and engaging two of said oppositely inclined faces, a wedge member threaded onto said left handed thread and engaging two of said inclined faces, and means for rotating said screw to move said friction members into frictional engagement with a support and thereby support the device.

2. A device for supporting shade and drapery poles having a hollow casing open at both sides and adapted to be placed into a groove, opposite contact members in said casing and being extendable outwardly of said casing through the respective open sides of said casing for contact thereof on the side walls of the groove and each having the inner edge thereof beveled, a wedge member having opposite beveled edges to engage with said beveled edges of said contact members, a screw axially of said groove and in threaded engagement with said wedge member to move both of said contact members outwardly of said casing and into contact on the side walls of said groove. f

3. A device for vsupporting shade and drapery poles relative to a groove, said device having a casing, rectangular in cross-section and open at each side, a contact member in each of the open sides of said casing and having the contact surface thereof at least as large in area as the opening, both of said contact members opposing each other and having opposing bevel faces, a screw in Ysaid casing and held against axial movement therein and having a right and left hand thread, a nut threaded onto each of said threads and each engaging both of the bevel faces of said contact members, means on Yan end of said screw, on

the outside of said casing for rotating said screw without limiting the possible number of revolutions thereof, and means for adjustably supporting shade and drapery poles on the front of said casing.

4. A device for supporting shade and drapery poles relative to a groove having a casing, rectangular in cross-section and open at each side, a contact member in each of the open ysidesV of said casing and havingV the contact surface thereof at least as large in area as the opening, both of said contact members opposing each other and having opposing bevel faces, a screw in said casing and held against axial movement therein and having a right and left hand thread, a nut threaded onto each of said threads and each engaging both of the bevel faces of said contact members, and means on an end of said screw, on the outside of said casing for rotating said screw without limiting the possible number of revolutions thereof.

5. In a device for supporting shade and drapery poles, a casing, contact members in and movable relative to and guided in said casing, a 

